When we moved to Florida, eleven years ago, there was a couple of weeks when I traveled back and forth between both worlds. Our clothes were scattered and mixed together amongst a number of suitcases. During one of these trips I pulled a pair of jeans, the only pants I had, out of a bag only to discover they belonged to Mrs. Sarcasm.
Well what could I do? I had no other clothes so I squeezed into those lady jeans and held my breath the next six hours. I can't recall if I was able to button them but it left an un-erasable memory.
So now we're in the process of moving back up north. And once again I'm traveling back and forth for a few weeks. This week I'm back in Florida, so of course I need some shorts. I tossed a pair in my bag and when I tried to put them on this morning, sure enough, they belonged to Mama Sarcasm.
It seems there's a bit more of me than eleven years ago. So no shorts for me but I certainly feel I've come full circle.
At least I have my velour suits.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Daylight Savings Time Goof
This was a few years ago, but worth reporting, since I just read an article about a bunch of other people's screw-ups.
You'll recall from reading this blog so closely, there was a time I was based in Atlantic City for my airline whilst living in Florida. This meant I had to fly up there to report for work and fly all my trips out of New Jersey. The only plus to this was that nearly every layover Atlantic City crews had were in Ft. Lauderdale. This meant getting paid to sleep at home.
One such layover fell on the night of Daylight Savings Time, in this case in the spring, when we set our clocks forward. As much as I was grateful for the chance to sleep in my own bed, setting the clocks ahead one hour made an already short night (something like a 5 AM report time) even shorter. Still, I dutifully changed all the clocks before going to sleep and settled in for what I assumed to be a fitful night, since I never sleep well knowing I have to be up soon.
Strange thing was, the night really dragged on. I recall waking up in the middle of the night feeling very rested only to discover I still had several hours left to sleep. It felt like a gift. That was, until the phone rang.
Crew Scheduling was curious as to my whereabouts, since it was just about departure time and I was nowhere in sight. It was in that moment I realized that when I'd set all the clocks, I had actually set them back instead of forward, thus accounting for those extra hours of sleep.
Fortunately the Crew Scheduler seemed more amused than angry, and I assured him I would get there as fast as possible. I don't recall how late the flight left, but I was greeted by more than one set of rolling eyes from the rest of the crew. Living in New Jersey, they had all gone to the hotel, where it was easy to spot someone not in the lobby at van time.
These days, I'm careful to take the Daylight Savings Day off.
You'll recall from reading this blog so closely, there was a time I was based in Atlantic City for my airline whilst living in Florida. This meant I had to fly up there to report for work and fly all my trips out of New Jersey. The only plus to this was that nearly every layover Atlantic City crews had were in Ft. Lauderdale. This meant getting paid to sleep at home.
One such layover fell on the night of Daylight Savings Time, in this case in the spring, when we set our clocks forward. As much as I was grateful for the chance to sleep in my own bed, setting the clocks ahead one hour made an already short night (something like a 5 AM report time) even shorter. Still, I dutifully changed all the clocks before going to sleep and settled in for what I assumed to be a fitful night, since I never sleep well knowing I have to be up soon.
Strange thing was, the night really dragged on. I recall waking up in the middle of the night feeling very rested only to discover I still had several hours left to sleep. It felt like a gift. That was, until the phone rang.
Crew Scheduling was curious as to my whereabouts, since it was just about departure time and I was nowhere in sight. It was in that moment I realized that when I'd set all the clocks, I had actually set them back instead of forward, thus accounting for those extra hours of sleep.
Fortunately the Crew Scheduler seemed more amused than angry, and I assured him I would get there as fast as possible. I don't recall how late the flight left, but I was greeted by more than one set of rolling eyes from the rest of the crew. Living in New Jersey, they had all gone to the hotel, where it was easy to spot someone not in the lobby at van time.
These days, I'm careful to take the Daylight Savings Day off.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Things I'll Miss About Living In Florida
7. The weather, obviously.
Summer's always been my favorite season. I've been enjoying it non-stop for the past eleven years. And now that it's finally nice enough to turn off the air conditioner and open the windows, I'm moving to Michigan. Just in time for winter. Bah!
6. The beach.
I rarely go anymore, but when we first lived here, we made a point of going to the beach often. I recall my first Thanksgiving as a southerner, digging my toes into the sand and playing in the temperate surf. Sadly, life took over and the beach became just another thing I didn't make time for. I took my son today for the first, and probably last, time.
5. The flora.
Exotic species are everywhere. From swaying palm trees to colorful bougainvillea to citrus groves, sea grape and gumbo limbo trees. I have a fruit haven in my backyard where I grow bananas, pineapples, oranges and the Peruvian apple cactus fruit, which grew back there for years before I even realized it was a fruit.
4. The fauna.
Alligators, crocodiles, panthers, armadillos, golden orb weaver spiders, Burmese pythons, iguanas, parrots ant lions, scorpions, lizards, geckos and every species of tropical fish, just to name a few. I once found a ferret in my front yard. Admittedly it was someone's pet, but it was a much more enjoyable find than the pygmy rattlesnake on the front porch.
3. My next-door neighbor, Howard.
Where else will I find such blog fodder. I'm compiling a list of Howard's greatest hits, which ought to include his handing out raisins for Halloween this year. Why, you ask? Tune in later. Actually, he's been helpful when necessary. Still goofy, but a decent friend.
2. La Bamba's Mexican Restaurant.
Mexican food made by real Mexicans. If you find yourself near Ft. Lauderdale, eat here. It is that good.
1. My writing friends - The Inkbloods.
I've made other friends over the years. Some have moved on, some have passed on. When I joined the library critique group so long ago, I hoped it would improve my writing. I had no idea it would come with friendships lasting far beyond Tuesday nights. I will miss them most of all.
Summer's always been my favorite season. I've been enjoying it non-stop for the past eleven years. And now that it's finally nice enough to turn off the air conditioner and open the windows, I'm moving to Michigan. Just in time for winter. Bah!
6. The beach.
 |
| Elliot at Large |
5. The flora.
Exotic species are everywhere. From swaying palm trees to colorful bougainvillea to citrus groves, sea grape and gumbo limbo trees. I have a fruit haven in my backyard where I grow bananas, pineapples, oranges and the Peruvian apple cactus fruit, which grew back there for years before I even realized it was a fruit.
4. The fauna.
 |
| Roseate Spoonbill - Everglades National Park |
3. My next-door neighbor, Howard.
 |
| Howard's Dining Room |
2. La Bamba's Mexican Restaurant.
Mexican food made by real Mexicans. If you find yourself near Ft. Lauderdale, eat here. It is that good.
1. My writing friends - The Inkbloods.
 | |
| The Inkbloods |
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